"Breach" vs. "Violation" in English (2024)

What Is Their Main Difference?

These two words both refer to not meeting a set of rules or standards in a community. However, 'breach' is used when someone fails to do something that had been in a mutual contract before. 'Violation', on the other hand, mainly refer to acting illegally and against the rules.

Differences

As stated above, the main difference between these two is that 'violation' refers to doing something that goes against the laws and rules in a particular place. So, it means doing something illegal. Look:

In some countries, it is violation to go into a couple's bedroom.

I don't think murdering another human being is considered a violation of the law on another planet.

'Breach' is used when someone fails to do something that they were supposed to do. Look at the following examples:

Late payment can be considered a breach of employees' rights.

When you work in a company, not doing what you're required to do is a breach.

Similarities

Both of these refer to not conforming to a set of rules or principles in a particular community. Check out the following examples:

What you're proposing doesn't sound like a breach of trust to me.

Killing another human being is a violation of the law all around the globe.

Are They Interchangeble?

Since the contexts in which we use these two words differ, it is better not to use them interchangeably. Both of these sentences below are correct but we mainly do not use 'violation' for a contract, so it is not athta common. Compare:

✓ What is being said is totally a breach of the contract.

✓ What is being said is totally a violation of the contract.

"Breach" vs. "Violation" in English (2024)

FAQs

"Breach" vs. "Violation" in English? ›

What Is Their Main Difference? These two words both refer to not meeting a set of rules or standards in a community. However, 'breach' is used when someone fails to do something that had been in a mutual contract before. 'Violation', on the other hand, mainly refer to acting illegally and against the rules.

What is the meaning of breach in English? ›

breach verb [T] (BREAK PROMISE/RULE)

to break a law, promise, agreement, or relationship: They breached the agreement they had made with their employer.

What is the other term of violation or breach? ›

Breach, infraction, violation, transgression all denote in some way the breaking of a rule or law or the upsetting of a normal and desired state.

What is a breach or violation of someone's rights? ›

An infringement is a violation, a breach, or an unauthorized act. Infringement occurs in various situations. A harm to one's right is an infringement.

What is the legal definition of a breach? ›

A breach is a violation of law or when a party fails to perform their part of a contractual agreement.

What is violation? ›

1. : the act of doing something that is not allowed by a law or rule. [count] a serious violation of the law. A second violation was called on the basketball player.

What is another word for violation in English? ›

Synonyms of 'violation' in British English

The congressman was accused of a breach of secrecy laws. abuse. infringement. infringement of privacy. contravention.

What type of word is violation? ›

noun. the act of violating. the state of being violated.

What is a synonym for violate something? ›

breach contravene defy disobey disregard disrupt infringe offend oppose tamper with. Strong matches. contaminate encroach err infract meddle outrage profane resist sin transgress trespass withstand.

Is breach a crime? ›

However, if a breach involves elements of criminality, such as fraud or theft, it may be treated as a criminal matter. This distinction is crucial because criminal cases are prosecuted by the state and can result in penalties like fines or imprisonment, unlike civil cases.

What is an example of violation of rights? ›

Some of the most common examples of civil rights violations include freedom from discrimination, race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. It also includes your rights to and from religion, speech, press, assembly, protest, search and seizure, due process, representation, and equal protection under the law.

What is an example of a right being violated? ›

Some examples of civil rights violations that may warrant a lawsuit include: Unreasonable searches and seizures. Illegal traffic stops based on race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, etc. Wrongful termination or being passed over for a promotion on a prohibited basis.

What is not considered a breach? ›

There are 3 exceptions: 1) unintentional acquisition, access, or use of PHI in good faith, 2) inadvertent disclosure to an authorized person at the same organization, 3) the receiver is unable to retain the PHI. @

What are three synonyms for breach? ›

Synonyms of breach
  • violation.
  • infringement.
  • offence.
  • contravention.
  • trespass.
  • infraction.
  • transgression.
  • offense.

How is a breach determined? ›

Proof of breach

A judge adjudicating a breach of contract claim must consider many factors. Most fundamentally, perhaps, a judge must decide if a valid, legally binding contract existed in the first place. In order to do so, that judge must decide if each of the key elements of a contract is present.

What does it mean to violate your rights? ›

Rights violation means any act, program, process, method or response, either through commission or omission, infringing upon or limiting an individual's rights, as defined in this chapter, without due process or without adherence to the emergency restriction policy in this chapter. Sample 1Sample 2Sample 3.

What is a breach of your right or a civil wrong against you called? ›

A tort is a civil wrong that causes harm to another person by violating a protected right. A civil wrong is an act or omission that is intentional, accidental, or negligent, other than a breach of contract.

Is violating human rights a crime? ›

THE VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS BY NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS IS DISCUSSED AS AN INTERNATIONAL CRIME.

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